Little House on the Prairie
 
 

Shannen joined the serie in last season.

One of Shannen's most fortunate moves as an actress was the one that put her in contract with the late Michael Landon.

As creator of the series "Father Murphy," he cast her first in a two-part episode of the show - the part of Drusilla Shannon.

Shannen had a strong hunch that she'd get the part because her own name was reflected in the character's name - and her lucky doll was named Drusilla !

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Later, when Michael Landon created his new series (Michael was the executive producer as well as the star of the show) "Little House: A New Beginning," he gave her the choice role of Jenny Wilder. Shannen was only 11 at the time.

Working with Michael Landon," Shannen says now, "was one of the most important stepping stories in my career. I credit him for guiding me in the right direction when I was very young."
(source: Teen, December 1991) 
  
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Some history about Little House on the Prairie (1974-1984)......

The long-running NBC drama "Little House on the Prairie" was based upon the series of "Little House" children's books, written by author Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957).

The TV series came on the heels of a successful made-for-TV movie, which had aired in 1974.

Little House on the Prairie followed the Ingalls family, a simple, hard-working farm family.
Charles Ingalls (played by Michael Landon) with his wife Caroline Ingalls  (played by Karen Graslle), and their three daughters: Mary Ingalls  (played by Melissa Sue Anderson) and Laura Ingalls  (played by Melissa Gilbert), and little  Carrie Ingalls. Later Caroline Ingalls gave birth to a fourth daughter, Grace Ingalls and they also adopted, first Albert Ingalls and later also James and Cassandra Cooper.

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Shannen participated in 17 episodes (in season nine) and in 3 tv-films (in season ten)

And here is the complete list.
Thanks to Patrick Loubatière (writer of a "Little House" book, and interviewer of several actors on the Little House DVDs) for helping me with episode list. :)  

 

SEASON NINE (Shannen was in 17 episodes) IMDb link


9.01 Times are Changing 01 (27-Sep-1982) - Almanzo's brother, Royal, comes to Walnut Grove with his daughter, Jenny.

9.02 Times are Changing 02 (04-Oct-1982) - Royal has a very bad heart and asks Laura and Almanzo to take care of his daughter since he was going to die soon. Jenny is devastated by her father's death. After talking to Reverend Alden about heaven, she tries to commit suicide by drowning so that she could be with her father again. Jeb Carter is able to save Jenny although he can't swim. Laura convinces Jenny that she should do what would make her parents proud.

9.03 Welcome to Olesonville (11-Oct-1982)

9.04 Rage (18-Oct-1982) - When Almanzo is away looking for the man (the man who shot his wife and daughter), the crazy man comes into the Wilder's house believing that Laura and Jenny are his wife and daughter. When the search party goes over to the Wilders, the crazed man steps outside and is killed.

9.05 Little Lou (25-Oct-1982) - Shannen was not in this episode!

9.06 The Wild Boy 1 (01-Nov-1982)  -
A traveling side-show comes to Walnut Grove advertising a wild boy. The wild boy escapes and befriends Jenny and the Wilders.

9.07 The Wild Boy 2 (08-Nov-1982)  

9.08 The Return of Nellie (15-Nov-1982)  

9.09 The Empire Builders (22-Nov-1982) - Shannen was not in this episode!

9.10 Love (29-Nov-1982)  

9.11 Alden's Dilemma (06-Dec-1982)


9.12 Marvin's Garden (03-Jan-1983)  -
Jenny looses a necklace in a pond and almost drowns trying to get it. After the incident, she has partial brain damage and has to retrain herself to talk and walk. Jenny's friend, a retired doctor, helps Jenny to force herself to get better. Thanks to him, Jenny makes a complete recovery.

9.13 Sins of the Fathers (10-Jan-1983) - Shannen was not in this episode!

9.14 The Old Brothers (17-Jan-1983)  - Shannen was not in this episode!

9.15 Once upon a Time (24-Jan-1983)

9.16 Home Again (07-Feb-1983)

9.17 A Child With No Name (14-Feb-1983)

9.18 The Last Summer (21-Feb-1983)

9.19 For the Love of Blanche (07-Mar-1983)

9.20 May I Have This Dance (14-Mar-1983)

9.21 Hello and Goodbye (21-Mar-1983)

 

SEASON TEN (Shannen was in 3 tv-films)

Little House: Look Back to Yesterday (12-Dec-1983) - IMDb link

Little House: The Last Farewell (06-Feb-1984) - IMDb link

Little House: Bless All the Dear Children (17-Dec-1984) - IMDb link

 

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